The glories of divine grace

Front matter

LIBRARY OF. CONGRESS.

Shelf

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Author's Preface

taking by the difficulties attending it, and I should also have been so deterred, had I not considered the present ur¬ gent want of such a work to indicate a call of God and the assurance of His assistance. Furthermore, I found an able preparatory work, which I could take for a basis, the book, namely, of the well-known P. Eusebius Nieremberg, “ De pretio inestimabili divinae gratise. ”

To my regret I could not find the original or even a com¬ plete translation, though I sought it for years. I found only a very imperfect abridgment of the work with the title, ‘ f Cogitationes solidse de pretio inestimabili divinae gratiae,” which was published at Wurzburg as a New Year’s gift of the Sodality of the Blessed Virgin. I therefore could not think of translating Nieremberg, especially since the original, too, which I had seen many years ago, did not carry out the dogmatical explanation, from a supernatural point of view, as carefully and thoroughly as I should have wished.

Nevertheless, T supposed I could do nothing better than to follow Nieremberg as closely as possible ; I have there¬ fore, on the whole, retained the division of the work, trans¬ placed but few chapters, and also added but few, viz. : Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, in the third book, Chapter 5, in the fourth book, Chapters 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 11, in the fifth book. Much matter, however, which was not so pertinent to the subject, I have omitted. Furthermore, I have taken over much material, sometimes entire, in free translation, par¬ ticularly in the first and fourth book.

The dogmatic exposition in most, as well as the practical application in many of the chapters, is either entirely or in great part my own work. I have also added nearly all the longer passages from the Fathers. The second and fifth book I have recast almost entirely from new material, and thus I may call two-thirds of the book my own production.

If I, nevertheless, place Nieremberg’s name at the head of the work, it is out of gratitude for this great and

A uthor's Preface.

holy man, to whom I am indebted for the leading ideas in the work, and to whose prayers I consider all the blessing attributable which God has bestowed upon it, or may in future bestow upon it. At the same time it may serve to re-introduce this man into Germany (to which he belonged by descent, though he lived and labored in distant Spain), and to call attention to his other ascetical writings, which are unduly neglected and ignored.

Many readers will consider the teachings here proposed either too novel or too disputable to be used for the instruc¬ tion of the people. But the principles from which we proceed are principles of faith, and all our propositions are at least the teachings of many holy Fathers, or the ap¬ proved opinions of great theologians. In many places, where it was convenient, we have expressly demonstrated this, though generally we have omitted to do so, lest the book might receive too learned an appearance. He who desires a more complete demonstration, will find it partly in Casings “Quid est homo,” in Habert’s “ Theologia Graecorum Patrum de gratia,” and especially in Suarez’ “ De gratia,” whose approved teaching I followed in nearly all points.

My general endeavor has been to render method and style as popular as possible, so that the book might be ac¬ cessible not only to theological circles, but also to those of the people who are qualified -to understand the supernat¬ ural glories of grace, not so much by learning and science, as by the light of Divine grace and the docility of an ardent faith. This was required also by the practical end which I had in view, in common with Nuremberg, namely, to withdraw the hearts of men from the vanities of this world and to direct them to a higher, heavenly, supernat¬ ural world, to inspire them with love for the Author of grace and His institution of it, to lead them to an ever closer attachment to the Church of Christ, to foster and cultivate Christian life, and especially to exhibit to Chris¬ tians the abundant cause they have for rejoicing in their holy religion. For the beauty and pride of the Catholic

A uthor's Preface.

faitli consists precisely in this, that in the mysteries of grace it proposes to us an inestimably high elevation of our nature and an unspeakably intimate union with God.

I should consider myself happy if I had contributed any • thing toward the attainment of this end. I have at least the confidence that in this work pastors and teachers of the people may find a new and rich mine for the instruc¬ tion of the people, which is scarcely yet opened, and that they may thus turn it to very profitable account, notwith¬ standing its defects. A number of my friends, competent judges, who had formerly read the work, have confirmed me in this hope. May the Author of grace realize it through the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin, the first-born daughter and Mother of grace, and especially, al¬ so, through the intercession of the venerable P. Nieremberg, who in his time has defended and glorified the Immaculate Conception of Mary in as brilliant and magnificent a man¬ ner as he has praised and proclaimed the glories of Divine grace.

Cologne, Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin , 1862.

AUTHOR’S PREFACE

To the Fourth Edition.

I have only to remark, that I have again subjected this work, which is especially dear to me, to a careful revision. In point of matter I found little to change, but the ex¬ pression has in many places been rendered more clear and precise.

May the book, with the blessing of God, lead many read¬ ers, in these troubled times, to be consoled and edified by the consideration of the glories and the blessedness of Di¬ vine grace.

Cologne, Feast of the Epiphany , 1885.

Contents

Translator’s Preface,

Page

Author’s Preface to First Edition,