This is the only point in this stack where some of the original text of Books 1-3 has been omitted. In the text on which this edition is based a long and seemingly misplaced warning to monks not to argue that their favorite saints are better than some one else's
(the way we argue about our favorite ballplayers, and teams) was deleted at this point , and I decided to do the same. We have far sillier things to argue about today, anyway.
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95
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God's Judgments
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y son, avoid disputes of high matters, nor of the secret judgments of God, why this man is so left, and that man taken into such great favor; why also one is so grievously afflicted, and another so eminently exalted. These things go beyond all reach of man's power, neither does any reason or disputation avail to search out the judgments of God. When therefore the Enemy suggests these things, or some curious persons raise the question, let your answer be that of the pslamist: “Righteous are you, O Lord and your laws are right”.† And again: “The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous”.† My judgments are to be feared, not discussed; for they are not to be comprehended by the understanding of man. (...†)
Many inquire who is the greatest in the kingdom of God, who know not whether they will be numbered among the least. It is a great thing to be even the least in Heaven, where all are great; for they all shall be called, and shall be “the sons of God”.† “The least of you will be valued as a thousand”,† “but the sinner even if he reaches a hundred years will still perish”.† When the disciples asked who should be greatest in the kingdom of Heaven, they heard this answer: “Unless you change and become like