{"collection":"chr","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/chr/ecf/105/1050331.htm","path":"chr/ecf/105/1050331.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/chr/ecf/105/1050331.htm","text":"Chapter 84 [LXX.]\u2014The Degrees of Love are Also Degrees of Holiness.\nInchoate love, therefore, is inchoate holiness; advanced love is advanced holiness; great love is great holiness; \u201cperfect love is perfect holiness,\u201d\u2014but this \u201clove is out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned,\u201d 1358 \u201cwhich in this life is then the greatest, when life itself is contemned in comparison with it.\u201d 1359 I wonder, however, whether it has not a soil in which to grow after it has quitted this mortal life! But in what place and at what time soever it shall reach that state of absolute perfection, which shall admit of no increase, it is certainly not \u201cshed abroad in our hearts\u201d by any energies either of the nature or the volition that are within us, but \u201cby the Holy Ghost which is given unto us,\u201d 1360 \u201cand which both helps our infirmity and co-operates with our strength. For it is itself indeed the grace of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, appertaineth eternity, and all goodness, for ever and ever. Amen.\nSee note at beginning of ch. 82 for the meaning of this mark of quotation.\n151:1360","title":"Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Vol. V: A Treatise on Nat...","type":"page"}