{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/001/0010465.htm","path":"chr/ecf/001/0010465.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/001/0010465.htm","text":"\u201c \u2018Is there then,\u2019 says he, \u2018such and so great power in our mind? Or can a man not perceive by sense sooner? Will the mind of man see God at any time, if it is uninstructed by the Holy Spirit?\u2019\n\u201c \u2018Plato indeed says,\u2019 replied I, \u2018that the mind\u2019s eye is of such a nature, and has been given for this end, that we may see that very Being when the mind is pure itself, who is the cause of all discerned by the mind, having no colour, no form, no greatness\u2014nothing, indeed, which the bodily eye looks upon; but It is something of this sort, he goes on to say, that is beyond all essence, unutterable and inexplicable, but alone honourable and good, coming suddenly into souls well-dispositioned, on account of their affinity to and desire of seeing Him.\u2019\n\u201c \u2018What affinity, then,\u2019 replied he, \u2018is there between us and God? Is the soul also divine and immortal, and a part of that very regal mind? And even as that sees God, so also is it attainable by us to conceive of the Deity in our mind, and thence to become happy?\u2019\n\u201c \u2018And do all the souls of all living beings comprehend Him?\u2019 he asked; \u2018or are the souls of men of one kind and the souls of horses and of asses of another kind?\u2019\n\u201c \u2018No; but the souls which are in all are similar,\u2019 I answered.\n\u201c \u2018Then,\u2019 says he, \u2018shall both horses and asses see, or have they seen at some time or other, God?\u2019\n\u201c \u2018No,\u2019 I said; \u2018for the majority of men will not, saving such as shall live justly, purified by righteousness, and by every other virtue.\u2019\n\u201c \u2018It is not, therefore,\u2019 said he, \u2018on account of his affinity, that a man sees God, nor because he has a mind, but because he is temperate and righteous?\u2019\n\u201c \u2018Yes,\u2019 said I; \u2018and because he has that whereby he perceives God.\u2019\n\u201c \u2018What then? Do goats or sheep injure any one?\u2019\n\u201c \u2018No one in any respect,\u2019 I said.\n\u201c \u2018Therefore these animals will see [God] according to your account,\u2019 says he.\np. 197 \u201c \u2018No; for their body being of such a nature, is an obstacle to them.\u2019\n\u201cHe rejoined, \u2018If these animals could assume speech, be well assured that they would with greater reason ridicule our body; but let us now dismiss this subject, and let it be conceded to you as you say. Tell me, however, this: Does the soul see [God] so long as it is in the body, or after it has been removed from it?\u2019\n\u201c \u2018So long as it is in the form of a man, it is possible for it,\u2019 I continue, \u2018to attain to this by means of the mind; but especially when it has been set free from the body, and being apart by itself, it gets possession of that which it was wont continually and wholly to love.\u2019\n\u201c \u2018Does it remember this, then [the sight of God], when it is again in the man?\u2019\n\u201c \u2018It does not appear to me so,\u2019 I said.\n\u201c \u2018What, then, is the advantage to those who have seen [God]? or what has he who has seen more than he who has not seen, unless he remember this fact, that he has seen?\u2019\n\u201c \u2018I cannot tell,\u2019 I answered.\n\u201c \u2018And what do those suffer who are judged to be unworthy of this spectacle?\u2019 said he.\n\u201c \u2018They are imprisoned in the bodies of certain wild beasts, and this is their punishment.\u2019\n\u201c \u2018Do they know, then, that it is for this reason they are in such forms, and that they have committed some sin?\u2019\n\u201c \u2018Then these reap no advantage from their punishment, as it seems: moreover, I would say that they are not punished unless they are conscious of the punishment.\u2019\n\u201c \u2018Therefore souls neither see God nor transmigrate into other bodies; for they would know that so they are punished, and they would be afraid to commit even the most trivial sin afterwards. But that they can perceive that God exists, and that righteousness and piety are honourable, I also quite agree with you,\u2019 said he.","title":"Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol I: JUSTIN MARTYR: Chapter IV.\u2014The soul of itself...","type":"page"}